OVERNIGHT

I'm pretty sure that we all know that I am crazy and impulsive. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that I basically up and went to California for an overnight on a whim about a week and a half ago. Rented a hotel room (**more about that after the pictures), brought along my teenage neighbor friend, and surprised the littles with one last beach trip before the start of school. The trip was full of all sorts of memories, nearly all of them being good. Top of the list: discovering new beaches in Sand Diego, dinner with my BFF of 16 years and her family, and donuts on the beach before heading home. And as crazy as it was, I wouldn't change a thing. Including being refused my prepaid hotel room...
** So hotel. 20 hrs before heading out on my adventure, I looked online for a place to stay. Cheap, easy, and close. Priceline directed me to a Super 8 hotel in National City; I found a 2 queen bed room, which would be enough room for me, Mimi, and my littles. I booked it - without the option of specifying the number of travelers. NBD, I could deal with that on-site. We arrived in the San Diego area well before check-in, but I wanted to get a feel for the area so we stopped by the hotel. I've heard of hotels adding a late fee for travelers checking in too late, so to be sure, I decided to ask. None of the phone numbers listed on my itinerary or online were correct. I pulled into the parking lot shared with a sketchy 7-11, parked, went in, and asked the receptionist. No late fee, phew. Seeing that the ONLY entrance into the hotel was directly through the lobby AND knowing that I have a billion kids, I also inquired about additional guest fees - which prompted him to ask how many were in my party. Myself, a teen, and six small children. "You cannot stay here." Our party exceeded the number of occupants per room. When I asked if there was anything that I could do to stay, he told me that I could rent another room. But I couldn't because there was not an additional 18+ adult with me, so... no. Refund? Prepaid room so... no. I calmly walked out to the car before calling the mr. slightly hysterical. I also called my BFF (who was also traveling seperately to San Diego) and told her of my situation. She urged me to call Priceline, which I did. The lady, while pleasant, was not helpful. She told me that I could rent an additional room, but then was hesitant as there was only one adult in the party. She called the hotel to see if they could relocate me to another hotel, but they could not. She again told me that I could rent an additional room, to which I inquired about an adjoining room with a door. They could not confirm an adjoining room with a door until I committed to buy an additional room. Umm... SIX SMALL CHILDREN. Not going to commit unless I know I will be with them. A dozen "I'm sorry, ma'am, but...". A half dozen calls on my behalf to the hotel. Nothing. I asked about a refund. I mean, the hotel rejected ME, its not as if I was a no-show. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but...". No. Well yes. But a refund comes with a penalty fee, which in your case would be the entire amount of booking. Awesome. I was a bit heated by the end of our 30 minute call and ended it by informing her that scathing reviews would be left for stranding a mother and her small children. Because, I'm sorry, but that is unacceptable. Luckily, I have a family friend who lives in the Los Angeles area, so we just made the drive up the coast that night to stay with them. But Priceline and Super 8 will never have my business. Nor any other cheap hotel, for that mater. Home Away, for life.